Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 64I,840. Patented lan. 23, |900.

W. M. CLINE.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application lod Apr. 16, 1898.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 64l,840. Patented Ian. 23, |900. W.v M. CLINE.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATB.

(Application led Apr. 15, 1898.) (No Mode-l.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

mi cams PETERS La.. Pnoauwo., wAsmNm'oN. D. c.

No. 64l,840. Patented 1an. 23, |900. W. M. CLINE.

ADETYLENE GAS GENERATUH. (Application med Apr. 18.1895.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

@y zgammwvs,

NITED Sdi-AirEs-V PATENT WILLIAM M. CLINE, or LANSING, MICHIGAN, AssIeNoza or oNE-HALET .IoI-IN N. ALEXANDER AND CHARLESl II. ALEXANDER, 0E sAME PLACE.

.Aol-:rimasti E-cAs c EN ERAToR?.

SPECIFICATION forming parser' Letters Patent No. e4i,s4o, iata.rai1ury es, 1o.

Application led Aprlll, 1898.

To all whom it may eolici/57%: i

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. CLINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lan sing, in the county of Ingham and VState of Michigan, have invented Va new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator,`ot' which the following is a'speciiication.

My invention relates to improvements in acetylene-gas generators; and one of the objects that I have in view is to provide an apparatus in which the gas as it passes from the ,carbid pail or vessel is cooled, condensed, and

washed preliminary toits passage to the gasometer, where thega'sis subjected to further cooling and washing to"'e1ifectually eliminate the impurities therefrom and keep the gas at a low temperature to supply ythe burners.

A further object of the invention is to pro= vide the apparatus'with means by which the supply of water to the generator is regulated, so as to flow in practically a continuous stream and in very small quantities to effect generation of gas continuously to maintain a gassupply sufficient to meet the demands of the service, as distinguished from an intermittent supply of water to the generator to effeet the generation of the gas at irregular intervals, and such Water-feed mechanism is arranged to be thrown Wholly out of action in event the gasometer-bell descends below its normal position for the purpose of obviating the flooding of the carbid residue in the generator.

A further object of the invention is to counterwei ght the gasometer-bellagainst the pressure of the gas therein by the vemployment; of shiftable lever-controlled weights, the action of which on the gasometer-bell may be varied to maintain the gas at a certain predetermined pressure for supply to the burners.

A further object of the invention is to simplify the construction by the omission of springs, balances, and floats, so as to render. the parts positive and mechanical in action,- thereby promoting the eiiicienc-y of the apparatus, and also to provide appliances by which the apparatus may be readily adjusted and controlled.

With these ends in View my invention consists in the novel construction and arrange- Serial No. 6 '77,6 89. (Nrjnoclel.)

describedand claimed. l

To enable others to understand my invention, I have illustrated the preferred embodil ment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which`Y l Figure 1 is a perspective View of an acety-Y lene-gas apparatus constructed in accordance Vwith my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical secl tional elevation through the gasometer and generator. Fig". 3 is a horizontal sectional plan view on the plane indicated by the' dot# ted line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation through onetype of the generator. Fig. 5 is a similar View through another construction of the generator. Fig; 6 is an enlarged detail View of the trip-slide, by which the water-feed mechanism is thrown wholly out of action on the descent of the gas ometer-bell. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail View of` the discharge-float from the gasom'etertank.

Like numerals of reference denote like and corresponding partsin each of the several iiguresof'the drawings. v

As is usual in the art, my apparatus con templates the employment of the gasometer 1 and the generator 2, the detailed construction of each of which I will now proceed to describe, beginning with the gasometer.

As shown, `the gasometery is composed in part of a tank 3, preferably of sheet-steel, and provided with an imperforate bottom 4. To the lower part of the tank below its bottom is attached a bib-cock 5, from which leads a pipe or tube 6, that is attached to the bottom 4:, and to this exposed cock 5 may be connected a hose 7, adapted to convey the water and the small quantity of sediment that may accumulate in the tank away to any suitable place of discharge. On the inner side of the stationary tank is secured a series of brackets 8, that sustain the idle rollers 9, against which the gasometer-bell is adapted to ride, and said tank 3 is reinforced by providing the same with exterior metallic bands 10 and ll. The band 10 is preferably of wrought metal and secured to the tank near its lower part at the point where the pipes pass through the Ioo ment of parts, which will be hereinafter fully tank, while the band 11 is of cast metal and suitably attached to the tank at its upper end. The tank is furthermore provided with a lling-spout 12, which is secured to the outside thereof and near the upper end, and communication between the tank and its fillingspout is established by one of a series of perforations, which permit the water to be poured into the spout to fiow into the tank and also allow the operator to observe thelevel of the water iu the tank by glancing in the open end of the filling-spout.

Vithin the stationary tank is arranged to travel a bell 13, also constructed of sheet metal, preferably sheet-steel, and to the outside of the cylindrical part or shell of this bell is attached a series of brackets 14, that carry the guide-rollers 15, which are adapted to ride against the inner surface of the tank 3. The brackets and rollers 14 15 on the bell are in alternate relation to the brackets and rollers 8 9 of the tank, and as the rollers of the bell occupy a different horizontal plane from the rollers of the tank said bell is sustained or guided in the tank to slide freely in a vertical direction therein while it is held practically against the horizontal turning movement. The upper end of the bell 13 is equipped with a conical head 16.

Within the tank 3 is provided a Vertical vent-pipe 17, which extends a suitable distance above the water-line in said tank, and the lower end of said vent-pipe is attached to a horizontal pipe 1S, the ends of which are extended through the wall of the tank 3, one end of said pipe 1S communicating with one of a series of traps 19. This trap is provided with a drain-cock 20, and from said trap extends the vent or escape pipe 2l, adapted to discharge the air contained in the generator previous to the operation of generating and storing the gas. This vent-pipe 17 is normally closed by the employment of a tube 22, which is secured at its upper end to the conical head 16 of the gasomet-er-bell in a suitable way to provide a gas-tight or hermeticallysealed joint between said tube and the head of the bell, and this tube 22, which is movable with the bell, is arranged to slide or telescope over the vent-pipe 17. The lower end of the bell and its telescopic tube are normally immersed in the water contained in the tank, and said tube is provided at a point intermediate of its length with the perforations 23, which when the bell attains a position above its normal working position are adapted to be exposed above the level of the water in the tank, so that the gas contained in the gasometer will pass through the perforations 23, the tube 22, and the vent-pipe 17, thus reducing the gas-pressure within thegasometer. The upper end of the telescopic tube 22 of the bell is provided with a partition 24,which hermeticallyeloses said tube 22 against communication with the gas-space in the gasometer, and said upper part of the telescopic tube is strengthened by the employment of a reinforcement-cone 25, the edges of which are united to the tube to serve as a stay thereto with the tube 22 and the head of the bell13. The partition 24 is secured in the telescopic tube 22 at a point below the head of the bell, thus forming an air-chamber 26 in the upper part of the tube 22, and said tube is perforated, as at 27, above the partition 24 to permit the air to pass from the bell into the chamber 26, the partition 24 being also perforated, as at 24, for the passage of air to said chamber. An air-vent cock 28 is secured to the apex of the conical bell-head in a position to communicate with the chamber 26. This vent-cock is normally closed against the escape of gas; but when the apparatus is set in operation the cock is opened to allow the air contained within the bell to escape through the perforated reinforcement-cone and the chamber 26 of the tube 22, after which the cock should be closed to cut off the escape of gas which is supplied to the gasometer from the generator. The bell 13 is, furthermore, provided at its opposite sides with the handles 29, which serve as the means for conveniently attaching the counterweight-cables, presently referred to, and also to manipulate or adjust the bell, as may be required in the service of the apparatus, and the bell is, furthermore, provided with a bracket 30, to which is connected a trip-cord that controls the water-feeding appliance of the apparatus. This bracket 30 may be extended to form an arm, on which is mounted a trip 3l, erected in a vertical position and suitably attached to said bracket-arm, and this trip 31 is provided with a curved or convexed edge 32, and said trip rides against the trip-slide to thrust the water-feeding devices out of action Aon the descent of the bell within the gasometer-tank.

In the generator illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, I employ a tank 33, which is closed at its lower side by an imperforate bottom 34, the tank resting upon or provided with a base 35, which is perforated, as at 35, to allow for the circulation of air below the generator for Ventilating purposes. The generator-tank 33 is provided with a condensingshell 33, which is arranged within the wall of the tank concentric therewith and is fixed to the bottom 34 of said tank, the condensingshell rising a suitable distance within the tank, preferably to the upper edge of the tank-wall. The head 35" of the generator is of substantially conical form, and it is provided with the depressed, inverted, conical, central portion 36, which constitutes the bottom of the auxiliary reservoir 41, and this generator-head is extended to form the shell 37, which is of a diameter to fit within the generator-tank 33 close to the annular wall thereof. The conical head 351 is clamped to the generator shell or tank by suitable devices or catches, (indicated in a general Way at 350,)and said head 35" is further provided with a condensing-shell 38, which is rigidly attached to said head at a point between its IOO lIO

shell 37 and the depressed central portion 36. The condensing-shell 38 of the generator-head is of a diameter less than the condensingshell 33a of the generator-tank, and said shell 38 fits within the tank-shell 33a, so as to form the annular narrow spaces 39 and 40. The generator-tank is designed to be lled with water in the annular space 40a to the point indicated by the water-line, thus forming a liquid seal between the head and the tank of the generator, which entirely overcomes any tendency of the gas to escape to the outer air. The auxiliary reservoir is indicated at 41, and it is attached to the conical generatorhead 35b to inclose within itself the depressed central portion 36. Within this auxiliary reservoir is erected a vertical inlet-pipe 42, which passes through the portion 36 of the generator-head, and this pipe 42 is extended to form a loop 43, which occupies the space between the shells 37 and 33a of the generator head and tank, respectively, at one side of said generator. The discharge end of the loop 43 in the ingress-pipe 42 terminates in a tubular nipple 45, which is situated immediately over the carbid vessel 46, which is placed in the generator-tank, said nipple 45 lying in the plane of the Vertical axis of said carbid vessel. rlhis nipple has a series of radial orifices oropenings 47, that deliver the water in streams or jets upon the upper surface of a conical perforated spreader 48, which overhangs the carbid vessel 46 and is attached to the lower extremity of the nipple 45 by meansof the screw 50 or its equivalent. The conical spreader 48 is provided on its outer upper surface with a series of spiral ribs or fins 49, and as said spreader is perforated and provided with the ribs water delivered upon the same'from the nipple 45 is distributed in minute thin streams over the carbid contained within the vessel or pail 46. From the bottom ot' the generator leads a drain-pipe 51,which extends through the base 35, and said pipe is provided with a draincock 52, by which the sediment and liquid which may accumulate in the bottom of the generator may be drawn off. On one side of the generator-tank is secured a spout 53, which is arranged to extend above and below the horizontal plane of the water-level in the seal between the tank and its cover, and said spout communicates with the interior of the generator-tank by one or a series of perfora-` tions that permit water to pass from the spout to the tank and enable the operator to determine the level of the water in said tank. In the space 40 between the tank-shell 33a and the shell 37 in the generator-head is arranged the gas-outlet pipe 54,which extends through the annular wall of the tank and is provided with a coupling 55. To this outlet-pipe 54 is attached a trap 56, having a drain-cock 57, and a three-way valve 58 serves as the means for coupling the gas-pipe 54 with the horizontal part 18 of the vent-pipe and a branch 60 of the condensing-coil 59. This condensingcoil is arranged within the gasometer-tank `near the lower part thereof, so as to be always immersed in the water contained in said tank, and from the upper part of said condensing-coil 59 extends a vertical branch pipe 6l, which passes through the water contained in the gasometer-tank. The upper extremity of this vertical branch from the condensingcoil terminates above the water-level of the gasometer and is provided with an elbow 62, to the horizontal arm of which also is attached a ilexible tube or hose 63, the other end of which hose or tube is connected to a short discharge-pipe 64, arranged in a vertical position within the gas-chamber of the gasometer. This discharge-pipe 64 is independent of the vertical branch 61, forming a part of the condensing-coil, and it is sustained in position within the gasometer by the employment of a iioat 65. The vertical branch 61 of the condensing-coil is provided in the elbow 62 with an automatic check-valve 66, as shown by Fig. 7, which valve is arranged to open freely in one direction for the passage of gas from the coil into the tube or hose and the short discharge-pipe 64; but this checkvalve prevents under any condition of service of the apparatus the backward iiow of gas or water from the gasometer into the condensing-coil. The short vertical pipe 64 passes through'the float 65, by which it is sustained in the gasometer so as to have its lower discharge end terminate below the bottom of the ioat 65, and thus the gas from the condensing-coil is discharged below the iioat and the level of the water in which the float is partially submerged, so that the gas issues in bubbles, which travel along the lower side of the float, and thus arise through the water in the tank to accumulate in the bell 13.

In my apparatus I employ novel devices for supplying water to the generator in very limited quantities and practically in a continuous stream, which operation of the water-feed mechanism insures a practically continuous iiow of water so long as the burners are consuming gas from the gasometer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the waterfeed mechanism 68 contemplates the employment of a rocking drum or cylinder 69, which is arranged in a horizontal position above the generator 2 and is supported on the outside of the gasometer-tank. This rocking or oscillating drum 69 is provided at its ends or heads with axial journals or trunnions 70, fitted removably in suitable bearings 72, provided in the horizontal arms of a pair of brackets 71, said brackets being equipped or constructed with base-plates 73, fitted loosely against the wall of the gasometer-tank and firmly secured thereto by suitable bolts or other equivalents. The drum or cylinder 69 is supplied with a proper quantity of water through a suitable filling nozzle or inlet 69a, which is closed by a suitable cap or cover, and on the outside of the drum are secured the angular brackets 74 and 75. The brackets are attached to the outside IOO IIO

of the drum one above the other, as shown more clearly by Fig. 2, the upper bracket 74 being normally disposed on the upper side of the supply-drum, while the other angular bracket 75 lies below the bracket 74. On the upper bracket 74 is secured a plate 76, which normally occupies a fixed position on said bracket 74 and which carries the guide-roller 77. The other lower bracket 75 is equipped with asheave 78, which is in the same vertical plane with the roller 77, and around this roller 77 and sheave 78 passes the operating-cord 79, the upper end of which is fastened to the bracket 30 on the head ot the gasometer-bell. To the outside ofthe gasometer-tank is rigidly fixed a bracket 80, carryinga guide-sheave 8l, and said bracket and sheave are in approximately the same horizon tal plane as the upper guide-roller 77 and plate 7G on the upper bracket 74 of the drum. On the outside of the drum at a suitable point below the lower bracket 75 and the rollers 78 therein is provided a trip-catch 82, iixed to the drum, and receives the operating-cord, and said catch is in the path of a trip-knob S3 on said operatingcord. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the upper end of the operating-cord 79 is attached to'the bracket 30 on the gasometerbell, from whence said cord passes down to and around the guide-sheave 8l in the bracket 80, thence horizontally across to and around the upperguide-roller 77 on the bracket 74, thence part way around the drum down to the lower guide-sheave 78 in the bracket 75, thence to the trip-catch S2 on the drum, and inally it is drawn below the drum by a weight 84. The trip-knob S3 is not normally engaged with the trip-catch 82 on the drum, and the operatingcord is thus permitted to have a limited lnovement around the drum and the sheaves 77, 78, and Sl before the trip-knob engages with the trip-catch, and this` engagement of the tripknob with said catch is effected when sufcient gas has accumulated in the gasometer to raise the bell a limited distance-say about sixinches. Normallythewater-supplydrum occupies a position where its spout, presently referred to, will deliver water in a limited quantity to the auxiliary reservoir 4l, and the bell 13 is lowered sufficiently for the operating-cord to be pulled down by its weight 84 and lower the trip-knob 83 free from engagement with the trip-catch 82. Vhen the pressure of gas increases, the gasometer-bell is elevated and the cord 79 is drawn upward to bring its trip-knob S3 into engagement with the trip-catch S2. It will be noted that the bell is capable of a certain amount of play under increasing volume of gas before the knob 83 on the cord engages with the drumcatch 82, but should the gas increase still further in volume a pull of the cord on the drum will rock the latter, so as to raise the spout of the drum to a vertically-inclined position and cut off the escape ot' water from the drum to the reservoir 4l.

Then the carbid becomes exhausted or spent in the generator and the continued admission of water to the generator would only serve to flood the spent and exhausted carbid therein, the drum or cylinder 69 is adjusted automatically to a position where the watersupply is entirely cut olf, and this end is attained by the employment of trip devices which are actuated by the descent of the gasometer-bell to a position below its normal working position, which descent of the gasometer-bell is due to the consumption of gas at the burners and subsequent reduction of the Volume in the gasometer. whereby the drum or cylinder is thrown wholly out of service consists in the employment of a trip-slide 85. This trip-slide 85 is in the form of a bail that is supported in guides 88 of a carrier 89, which is pivoted, as at 89, to the outside of the gasometer-tank or on the bracket 80, which carries the guidesheave 8l. The slide 85 is arranged to move freely in the guides ot' the carrier, and the latter is adapted to be turned on its pivot to a position where the slide 85 may be readily withdrawn therefrom. The trip-slide is provided at its lower end with an arm or arms 86, which are bent outwardly from the slide to overhangthelowerbracket75 onthedrum,and said arms of the slide are provided with antifriction-rollers 86, which enable the armed slide to travel freely over the bracket 75.

The cylinder or drum 69 is provided on its lower side with an outwardly-extending spout 90, and said drum and its spout are arranged in a horizontal plane above th'e generator to bring the spout when the drum or cylinder is turned to its working position over the auxiliary reservoir 4l on the generator-head, thus enabling the spout to discharge directly tothe reservoir 4l. The flow of water from the regulator-drum toits spout is controlled bya valve 91, which may be adj usted to regulate the quantity of water which passes from the cylinder to the reservoir, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention this valve consists of a tube 92, whichis fixed transversely within the drum 69 to have one end thereof communicate with the spout 90. The fixed valve-tube 92 is perforated at intervals throughout its length, as at 93, and within said tube is arranged the inner adjustable tube 94, the latter being also perforated at 95,correspondinglyto theperforations in the tube 92. One end of the inner tube 94 is extended through the drum and provided The means IIO with ahead 96, and said inner tube is adjustable axially within the outer tube 92 for the purpose of moving it to a position where perforations 95 will be brought into or out of coincidence with the perforations 93 in the tube 92, whereby the inner tube 94 may be adjusted to vary the area of the openings in the tubular two-part Valve to regulate the flow of water from the drum or cylinder to the spout 90, If desired,the head 96 of the inner valve member 94 may be provided with a pointer to traverseasuitable scale; but this is not essential.

The gasometer-bell is weighted against the pressure of the gas by novel devices, which tend to resist the upward movement of the bell and keep the gas under uniform pressure, so that it is supplied to the burners in the most advantageous manner. In the preferred embodiment o f the invention I employ verticallydisposed levers 97, which are arranged exteriorly to the `gasometer and are fulcrumed at their lower ends to the base of the gasometertank, the lever fulcra being indicated at 98. These levers carry the weights 99, which are shiftable back and forth thereon to the desired positions and are held in their adjusted positions by the screws 100 or their equivalents. To the outside of the gasometer-tank below the upper open edge thereof are fixed the brackets 101, that carry sheaves or pulleys 102, and around said sheaves are passed the connecting-cables 103,the upper ends of which are attached to the handles 29 on opposite sides of the gasometer-bell, while the lower ends of said cables are attached to the upper ends of the weighted levers 97.

In the embodiment of the generator represented by Fig. 5 I employ, in addition to the parts hereinbefore mentioned, a peculiar construction of carbid vessel, which is indicated at 104. This carbid vessel is provided with an imperforatebottom and an annular shell, and within the shell of the vessel is arranged another shell 105, which is provided atits upper end with a conical head 107. This head 107 has a gas-outlet opening 108, thatis formed centrally or in the apex in said conical imperforate head 107. The inner shell 105 is arranged close to thevessel concentric therewith, and it forms a narrow space between said vessel and the shell, and at the lower edge of the shell 105 are formed the notches or perforations 106, which permit the water that flows over the imperforate conical head and annular shell 105 to obtain access to the carbid from the lowerpart of the vessel or pail. The perforated and ribbed sprayer employed in the construction of the generator shown by Fig. 4 is replaced by an imperforate distributer 109, which is attached to the radially-perforated nipple of the loop-shaped water-ingress pipe, and this distribnter 109 directs the water admitted by said pipe over the conical head of the carbid Vessel,whereby the water is caused to trickle or flow over the head and the wall of the carbid vessel within the shell 105 and pass into the vessel through the notches or perforations 106 at the bottom thereof.

To prepare the apparatus for service, the three-way valve 38 is turned to open direct communication from the generator through the horizontal pipe 18, the trap 19, and the escape-pipe 21, thus permitting the generatorcover to be removed, when the water seal of the generator may be filled with water by pour-` ing the same into the filling-spout. The tank of the gasometer is also filled with water up to the dotted line, and the gasometer-bell is emptied of air by opening the air-vent cock 28, which permits the air to pass through the holes 26 in the reinforcemen t-cone 25, thence through the holes 27 in the pipe 22 above the partition 24, and thence to the vent-cock. The escape of air from the bell allows the lat-ter to settle to the desired extent in the gasometertank. A supply of carbid is now placed in the pail or vessel of the generator, and said pail is adjusted to a position shown inside of the generator-shell. The air displaced by the insertion of the carbid-pail and the cover of the generator escapes through the gas-pipe, the valve 58, and vent-pipe 21. The auxiliary tank or reservoir 41 is filled with water to the exposed extremity of the pipe 42. The feed tank or drum 68 of the water-feed device is also filled with water to the dotted lines in Fig. 2 to supply water to the auxiliary reservoir 41 when the cock or two-part valve 91 is opened' by manipulating the head 96 to turn the inner adjustable tube 94 to a position where the perforations therein coincide more or less with the perforations in the outer fixed tube 92, the inner valve-tube 94 being adjusted to a position to furnish the amount of water required in the generator for action on the carbid therein to produ-ce a sufficient quantity of gas to supply the desired number of burners. With the opening of the Water-regulating valve 91 the water from the drum or cylinder is delivered through the spout to the auxiliary reservoir, causing the water therein to overflow into the pipe 42 over to the distributer and attack the carbid in the generator vessel or pail. The chemical decomposition resulting from the contact of the water with the carbid at once insures the generation of acetylene gas, which rises from the pail or vessel and passes through the generator in the direction indicated by the arrows. The ascending current of gas first comes in contact with the cool under surface of the distributer and then it impinges against the conical bottom of the auxiliary reservoir 4l, such con tact of the gas with said cooled surfacesinsuring condensation of much of the moisture contained in the gas, and the water of condensation drips back into the carbid vessel upon the carbid therein. The gas passes downward along the conical head of the generator outside of the carbid vessel or pail therein and in contact with the circulating partition or shell 38, the gas passing through the space 39 below said shell 38 and into the space 40 between the shell 38 of the head and the shell 33a of the generator-tank. The gas passes in a double thin sheet between the heated carbid-pail on one side and the condensin g partition or shell on the other side, also through the space 40 between the shell d3n of the circulating-shell 38 of the head 2, and by giving to the gas the circuitous course in contact With the cool shells and the water seal a very thorough and complete condensa tion of the moisture in the gas is effected, so that very little moisture remains in the gas to be carried thereby into the pipes, which is IOO IIO

a point of very great importance. After reaching the top of the water seal in the generator the gas passes into the outlet-pipe 54; through the coupling 55 into the trap 56, where a portion of the remaining moisture is condensed, the water of condensation being drawn o from time to time through the cock 57. The office of the three-way cock or valve 58 is to permit the impure gas and the mixture of gas and air first generated to pass off through the Vent-pipe, and when the impure gas and air shall have passed from the generator the cock 5S is adjusted to direct the pure gas to pass into the condensing and cooling coil 59. The gas passes through the Vertical pipe 6l of the coil to a point above the level of the water in the gasometer-tank, and thence it is delivered into the flexible hose 63 and the vertical outlet-pipe 64. The gas is discharged through the lower open end of this outlet-pipe below the float 65 and is compelled to find its way in bubbles along the surface of the float and through the water, by which means the gas is thoroughly washed and cleansed of any impurities which may remain therein. The admission of gas to the floating bell of the gasometer displaces any air which may remain in said bell, and said air and gas is allowed to pass off through the vent-cock 2S at the upper extremity of the bell 13, As the gas 'accumulates in the bell its pressure is increased to a point sufficient to raise the bell and draw upon the operating-cord 79,attached to the bracket 30, and this cord for a time moves freely around the pulleys on the gasometer and the water-feed drum until its tripknob 83 engages with the trip-catch 82 on said drum. The further motion of the cord is arrested by the engagement of the knob and catch, and as the gas-holder continues to rise the pull or strain on the operating-cord is exerted on the circumference of the upperguide sheave or pulley, which transmits the strain to the rim of the drum 69, rotating the latter on its axis, so as to raise the discharge-spout. This movement of the drum or cylinder at once diminishes the outflow of water through the spout of the drum, because the flow is controlled by the diminished head of water consequent on the level of the end of the spout as it is raised, approaching more nearly the level of the water in the tank. Thus the quantity of water flowing through the spout is gradually decreased on the elevation of the spout, to cease entirely by the time it reaches the water-level in the drum. Ordinarily, however, in the continuous operation of the apparatus while the lights are burning the flow of water from the revoluble drum to the auxiliary reservoir is not entirely cut off, but the spout rises and falls in consonance with the rising and falling motion of the floatable gas-bell, so as to exactly proportion the outflow of Water from the drum to secure the generation of the required amount of gas to sup ply the burners in use. The flow of water does not entirely cease, nor does it increase to any appreciable extent, but it remains practically uniform, according to the number of lights required. In most devices of this character the flow of water is not continuous while the lights are burning, but it is intermittent, so that a small portion of water is allowed to escape when the supply is entirely cut off until the water-supply is renewed by the descent of the gas-bell consequent upon the burning of the gas and reduction of volume in the gasometer. It should also be noted that there are practically three stages in the operation of the cord 79 on the rocking water-drum due to the rising and falling of the gas-holder. In the first or initial upward movement of the bell the operating-cord passes freely around the pulleys on the drum. Consequently the latter remain stationary, giving full flow of Water, which continues until the gas-holder ascends a certain distance-- say five or six inches. At this time the knob on the operating-cord engages with the catch 82 on lthe drum, and the water-tank is rotated partially on its axis, at once diminishing the flow of the water. This stage in the operation of the cord on the drum continues through a further ascent of the bell of from eight to ten inches, and a further rise of the bell of about ten inches is possible before the orifices or perforations in the telescopic tube 22 pass above the water-line in the gasometer-tank and permit the escape of gas through the vent-pipe 2l. In the practical service of the apparatus, however, the venting of the gasometer is not attained unless by some accident an unusual supply of water is fed to the generator.

XVhen the. supply of carbid becomes exhausted in the generator, the gas-bell 13 in the gasometer-tank falls, owing to lreduction of the Volume therein due to consumption of gas, until the trip 3l engages with the tripslide 85, which abuis against the angular bracket on the water-drinn, thus causing the latter to rotate upon its axis and promptly raising the discharge-spout above the waterline in said drum, the effect of which is to arrest the flow of water and prevent the residue of carbid from being flooded with the watersupply, such flooding being disadvantageous, as it would necessitate the cleansing and drying of the carbid pail or vessel before a new charge of carbid could be introduced into said pail, also obviating the waste of water from the rocking drum or cylinder.

From the gasometer the gas passes through a supply-pipe 110, which has a branch extending through the tank 3 to a point above the water-line therein.

The check-valve 66 in the horizontal branch of the condensing-coil situated within the gasometer is of peculiar utility in my apparatus. Should the three-way cock 58 remain open through carelessness, so as to open a passage from the generator to the interior of the gasometer through the coil 59 and the cover of loo the gasometer be opened, the suction thus produced would tend to draw the water through the discharge-pipe, the hose, the vertical pipe 6l, the coil, and back into the generator, thus setting up siphouic action. This is obviated, however, by the check-valve, .f

which permits the passage of gas only from the coil into the pipe 64, which discharges below the float; but under normal conditions the short vertical pipe 64 prevents any backi'low of water through the pipe 6l and the coil.

In my apparatus perfect condensation of the moisture in the gas is attained by the course the gas is compelled to circulate as it rst passes in a downward direction along the carbid-pail and beside the cool water seal in a thin sheet extending clear around the inside of the generator. The area of this sheet compels the gas to circulate very slowly, and the condensation is consequently practically complete, so that very little moisturev passes into the first drip-trap 56 of the apparatus. The conical bottom of the auxiliary reservoir at the top of the generator is kept in a cool condition by the supply of fresh water constantly dripping into the reservoir from the water-drum, and this cool surface serves to condense the moisture in the gas,I the conical form of the bottom tending to di-` vert the vwater of condensation toward the center and causing it to fall back into the carbid-pail. The conical cover of the generator also tends to act to some extent as a condenser, although not as much as the cool bottom of the auxiliary reservoir, and the water of condensation which lodges on this cover runs along the cover until it strikes the vertical wall or shell to be deposited in the bot tom of the generator, and consequently does not enter the water seal. The same is true of all the condensation that takes places while the gas is passing between the water seal and the condenser, so that the water accumulates in the bottom of the generator-chamber to be drawn off through the drain pipe and cock, by which means the water forming the seal remains in a pure condition for a comparatively long time. In consequence of the action heretofore described of the generator on the gas and also of the condensation that takes place in the trap and the condensing-coil there is but very little moisture passing with the gas into the gasometer, and hence the water in the gasometer-tank remains in a clean condition for a comparatively long period. The cleanliness and purity of the gas,togetherwith the perfect freedom from impurities consequent upon the thorough wash-l ing and condensation the gas has received, makes it possible to use burners that cannot be successfully employed in connection with other types of gas-generators.

I attach especial importance to the peculiar and positive action of the rocking water-drum by which a continuous supply of water is maintained to the generator when the apparatus is in service in contradistinction to the discontinuous intermittent and irregular supply of water to the generator incident to the operation of other machines of this class. The action of the water-drum is positive and does not depend upon springs or balances, the action of which may be effected or influenced by extraneous conditions.

My apparatus requires the employment practically of a single valve, although I prefer to use the three cocks heretofore described, but two of which ever come in contact with the gas. The construction of the generator and carbid-pail is such that the renewal of the carbid charge is rendered very easy, and the complete control of the watersupply leaves a residue in practically a dry condition. Consequently no drying of the pail is necessary under ordinary circumstances in replacing the carbid.

The weighted operating-levers which counteract the upward movement of the bell under the gas-pressure control the pressure of the gas in a way to make it practically uniform under all circumstances and conditions of the supply to the burners until the gas is practically exhausted. This is due to the fact that the weights on the levers move in an arc of a circle. Consequently the downward pull on the bell is increased as it descends, thus counteracting the increased buoyant eect of the water in the gasometertank.

It will be noticed that I have provided an improved construction of water-regulating valve for the rocking water-drum, by which the size of the Water ports or orifices maybe absolutely and accurately regulated toadmit the desired quantity of water to the spout which discharges from the drum to the auxiliary reservoir, the outflow of Water being controlled by the number of apertures in the valve-tubes. As the can or drum rotates in a direction to lift the spout certain of the apertures in the valve-tubes are raised above the level of the water. Hence water cannot iiow through such apertures to the spout, thus diminishing the supply. The interior adjustable tube may readily be drawn out of the drum for cleaning any foreign substance -which may lodge therein, and this is effected without involving interruption to the operation of the machine.

The guide devices on the gasometer tank and bell operate to retain the bell in proper position, while permitting perfect freedom of vertical motion.

The employment of the lioat in connection with the discharge-pipeis advantageous, first, because the point of exit of the gas being always below the surface of the water inthe gasometer there is no possibility of a backward iiow of gas from the gasometer into the generator; secondly, the gas is compelledto pass along the broad flat lower surface of the float and is thoroughly washed, and, thirdly, the cooperation of the iloat withthe flexible IOO IOS

tube or hose permits the level of water in the gasometer-tank to [inctuate without effecting the washing of the gas orthe pressure on the generator.

The thorough washing and cooling of the gas to which it is subjected in my apparatus insures its delivery to the burners at a low temperature. The water-drum is arranged in alom-down position,which renders it easy to detach it from its supports for the purpose of reiilling. The venting contrivance is efficient and certain in its action,as it does not depend on the operation of valves or floats.

The construction of the carbid vessel shown by Fig. 5 offers some points of superiority in the increased condensation arising from the employment of the conical cover to the carbid-pail, and it also eects the complete disintegration and exhaustion of: the carbid, which is due to the fact that the water enters the pail at the bottom thereof and to the lower strata of carbid in said pail, so that after the initial charge of water is admitted the further supply of water to the carbid is due to capillary attraction. In this form of generator the gas passes upwardly through dry carbid, and most of the moisture in the gas is absorbed by the affinity of the carbid for water.

Idesire to call attention to the fact that the trip 31 on the gasometer-bell is adapted to travelin the descent of the bell until the forward extremity7 of the trip, which lies below the bracket, passes over the top of the bail 85, on which it catches, so as to force the bail down on the descent of the bell. The only purpose of the convex outeredge on the trip is in the event of any accident or in replacing the supply-tank or in any other manner the trip should pass below the top of the bail the convex face of the trip willnot catch upon the :bail during the ascent of the bell, but the bail will ride over the convex face of the trip and spring back to its proper position parallel to the guard, whereby the bail lies below the trip andin the path of the same to engage therewith again on the descent of the bell. As to the vertical movement of the bail 85, it is effected by having its frictionrollers S6 riding on the brackets 75, so that the bail rises and falls in the revolution of the supply-tank. The effect of this operation is that the bail will always be at its highest point on the exhaustion of carbid and in a position to be engaged by the trip when it descends with the bell.

It will be observed that until the trip-knob on the operating-cord engages with the tripcatch of the rocking water-drum the spout of the drum is in a position to deliver the greatest possible amount of water permitted by the valve in the drum. Consequently the flow of water does not begin to diminish until the trip-knob of the guard engages with the trip-catch, and this decrease in the water-'supply extends through the whole of the middle part of the rise of the bell. The ascent of the bell is divided into three stages: Iirst, while the full delivery ot' water is taking place, before the engagement of the trip-knob with the catch; secondly, through something more than one-third of the entire travel of the bell the spout is being raised, and consequently the ow of water diminishes, but does not cease entirely, and, thirdly, the ilow of water is entirely cut oit, and a further rise ofthe bell of something less than one-third of its entire travel is permitted before the safetyvent 23 opens to discharge gas from the bell of the gasometer.

One of the important points in my apparatus is that the pressure remains practically uniform under all circumstances. The increase is not in the pressure ot' the gas, but in its volume or quantity. The weighted levers being actuated entirely by gravity, the pressure of the gas does not increase with the volume; but, on the contrary, the pressure remains uniform, and the bell is entirely free to move with any additional quantity of gas which may accumulate in the gasometer.

I am aware that changes in the form and proportion of parts and in the details of construction may be made by a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my invention, and I therefore reserve the right to make such modications as clearly fall within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 1. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a double-walled tank having a central carbid-chamber, a double-walled cover provided on its top with an external water-cistern which is situated in a position within the plane of the inner wall of said cover, said inner wall ofthe cover arranged within the corresponding wall of the tank and forming therewith a double gas-circulating space, and means for conveying water from the cistern to the carbid-chamber, whereby the bottom of the elevated water-cistern is exposed to contact with the gas rising from the carbid-chamber of the generator, substantially as described.

2. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a double-walled tank, a carbid vessel arranged within the inner wall of the tank and forming therewith a gas-circulating space, and a double-walled cover having a central water-cistern, the inner wall of said cover being arranged between the carbid vessel and the inner wall of the tank to subdivide the gas-circulating space therebetween, the outer wall of said cover being sealed between the walls of the tank, substantially as described.

In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a double-walled tank forming a seal-chamber, a carbid vessel within the inner tank-wall and said vessel having its shell arranged concentric therewith to form an intervening gas-circulating space, a cover pro- IOO IIO

canelle videdwithacentral eXternalWater-cistern and with the depending concentric walls, one of which walls is immersed in the seal-chamber of the tank and the other wall is tted between the carbid vessel and the inner tank-wall to subdivide the gas-circulating space therebetween, and a trap-shaped water-pipe attached to said cover and fitting in the seal-chamber of the tank, one end of said pipe communicating with the water-cistern and the other end thereof terminating over the carbidvessel, substantially as described.

4. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator having a conical cover, an auxiliary tank mounted on said cover and provided with an inverted, conical or dished bottom which is formed by the central part of said cover, a carbid pail or vessel within said generator, and an inverted siphon-pipe leading from the auxiliary tank and having its delivery end arranged to discharge to the carbid vessel, substantially as described.

5. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising atank having an internal shell forming a water-seal chamber, a carbid vessel provided with a perforated base-f1ange which rests upon the tank-bottom within said internal shell, a head or cover having the double concentric shells arranged for one shell to enter the water-seal chamber and the other shell to fit between the inner tank-shell and the carbid vessel, a gas-pipe passing throughy the water-seal chamber, a looped Water-pipe situated in the water-seal chamber on the opposite side from the gas-pipe, an elevated water-tank connected to one extremity of the looped Water-pipe, anda drain-pipe connected4 to the bottom of the tank-shell within the perforated ilange of the carbid vessel, substantially as described.

6. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator comprising a double-Walled tank, a carbid vessel arranged therein for its shell to form with the innertank-Wall the gas-circulating space, a cover having a central Watercistern and the double walls, one of said walls being interposed between the shell of the carbid vessel and the inner tank-wall to subdivide the gas-circulating space therebetween, another shell arranged within the carbid vessel and having a conical top with a gas-outlet,- and means for conveying water from the water-cistern and discharging the same upon the conical top, whereby the top is kept in a relativelycool condition by water owing thereover-and the ascending gas is caused to impinge against the lower surface of the top, substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator having an elevated*water-reservoir on the tank thereof, a carbid pail or vessel Within said generator, an inverted Siphon-pipe situated within the generator and having one end connected to the water-reservoir and its other end overhanging the carbid-pail, a radiallyperforated nipple attached to the overhangin-g end of said Siphon-pipe, and adistributer below said nipple, substantiallyas described;

8. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a gen erator consisting of a carbid vessel provided with a distributing top or cover having a gas-out` let, and water-ingress ports at the bottom thereof, an elevated Water-reservoir, a looped water-inlet pipe leading from the reservoir to a point above the carbid vessel, and a distributer which receives from the discharge end of said pipe, substantially as described.

9. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator consisting of a tank having an interior shell adapted to form a Water seal, aconical cover clamped to said tank and provided with a depending shell which is concentric with,

the shell of the tank and forms therewith a double circulating-space for the passage of gas, a carbid vessel within the tank and the shell of the cover, an elevated Water-reservoir mounted directly upon the cover and having an inverted conical bottom over the carbid-pail, a Siphon water-inlet pipe with its receiving end extending into the reservoir, a distributer attached to the delivery end of the pipe,and an outlet-pipe extending through the water seal of said generator, substantially as described.

10. In'an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator and a gasometerbell, of a tiltable water-tank arranged to deliver to said generator, and operative connections from the gasometer-bell to said tiltable water-tank, said operative devices having a slip connection with the water-tank to allow the latter to remain in operative position during a part ofthe travel of said bell and serving also to gradually adjust the tiltable water-tank and diminish the iiow of water therefrom as the bell approaches the last stage of its upward travel, substantially as described.

11. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator and a gasometer, of a rocking water-feed mechanism arranged in operative relation to the generator and connections between the gasometer-bell and said rocking water-feed devices to insure practically a continuous flow of water to the generator, permitting a. limited motion of the gasoxneter-bell without interruption to the flow of Water and adapted to positively cut off the flow of water on the descent of the gasometerbell below a certain limit, substantially as described.

12. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator and a gasometerbell, of a tiltable water-tank, and operative connections between the gasometer-bell and said tiltable tank to actuate the latter gradually during the interval between the first and last stages of the ascension of said gasometerbell, and trip devices to positivelyA move the Water-tank out of operative position on the downward travel of the gasometer-bell, substantially as described.

ICO

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13. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator having means for feeding water to the carbid contained therein and a gasometer, of a rocking drum in operative relation to the water-supply means of the generator, connect-ions between said rocking drum and the gasometer-bell to turn said drum on the rising and falling movements of the bell and permit the latter to have a limited vertical movement without influencing said drum, and trip devices to turn the drum to an inoperative position on the descent of the bell below its normal working position, substantially asv described.,

14:. Inv an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator and a gasometer, of a movable water-drum having an adjustable valve to predetermine the volume of water which may escape from the drum within a given period, and connections between the gasometer-bell and said drum to control the latter automatically on the upward travel of the gasometer-bell,substan tially as described.

15. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer', of a rocking waterdrum, an operating-cord attached to the gasometer-bell and having a slip connection with said drum, and coacting stop devices on the drum and the cord to make the cord turn the drum after the gasometer-bell shall have completed the first stage of its upward travel, substantially as described.

16. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the coinbination with a generator and a gasometer, of a rocking water-drum, an operating-cord attached to the gasometer-bell and fitted to the rocking drum to have a limited movement thereon, and means for making the operatingcord fast with the drum to actuate the latter on a continued ascent of the gasometer-bell, substantially as described.

17. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, of a rocking drum carrying a guide-sheave, and a trip-catch, a weighted operating-cord fitted to said guidesheave and the drum to have a limited movement thereon, and a trip on said cord to engage with the catch on the drum, substantially as described.

1S. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, of a rocking waterdrum provided with guide-sheaves, a guidesheave mounted on the gasometer in substantially the horizontal plane of one sheave on the drum, a weighted operating-cord threaded around said guide-sheaves to partially embrace the drum, and coacting trip devices on the drum and cord, substantially as described.

19. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, of a rocking drum, connections between said drum and gasometer-bell to control the position of the drum within normal working position of the gasometer-bell, and means carried by the gasometer-bell to throw the drum out of operative position on the descent of said bell below its normal working position, substantially as described.

20. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, of a rocking drum, a trip-slide in the path of said drum, and a trip carried by the gasometer-bell and arranged to depress the trip-slide and turn the drum out of operative position, substantially as described.

2l. In an acetylenegas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, of a rocking drum provided With a bracket, a trip-slide lying in the path of said bracket, a guide in which the trip-slide is fitted, and a trip on the gasometer-bell to actuate the trip-slide, substantially as described.

22. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a rocking watersupply drum, and a two-part perforated valve fitted therein, substantially as described.

23. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a generator and a gasometer, of a rocking drum operatively connected with the gasometer-bell, and a water-regulating valve carried by the drum for operation independently of'the movement of the drum under its operative connections with the gasometer-bell, substantially as described.

24. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a rocking drum having a discharge-spout, and a two-part valve within said drum, one member of the valve being fixed and perforated radially and the other member being also perforated and adjustably iitted within the fixed member, substantially as described.

25. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer and a generator, ot' a float situated within the gasometer and disconnected from the bell thereof, a gaspipe connected with the generator and having a flexible connection with said float to discharge below the submerged part thereof, and an 'antisiphon check-valve in said gaspipe, substantially as described.

26. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer, of a cooling-coil therein and having a pipe extending above the water-level, a flexible tube or hose, a iloat arranged to afford a broad battle-surface at its submerged portion, and a discharge-pipe suspended by the float and attached t0 the exible tube, said discharge-pipe having its delivery end opening through the submerged portion of the iioat,substantially as described.

27. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the cornbination with a gasometer and a generator, of a gas-pipe leading from the generator and terminating above the water-level in the gasometer, a float, a pipe connected with said gaspipe and the float, anda check-valve to overcome siphonic action from the gasometer to the generator, substantially as described.

2S. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with the gasometer-bell and an outlet-pipe therefrom, of means operatively connected with said bell to resist the upward IOO IIO

movement of the bell and consisting of levers carrying drop-weights, substantially as .described.

29. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer-bell and a gas-outlet pipe,oi` counterpoise-levers, operative connections between said bell and said levers, and counter-weights clamped to said levers, substantially as described.

30. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination with a gasometer and a generator, of a gas-pipe leading from the generator and having a trap, a vent-pipe in said gasometer and connected with said trap, a three-way valve uniting the gas-pipe and ven t-pipe, and a condensing-coil having one end connected with said valve, and a vertical -branch from said coil discharging into the gasometer-bell, substantially as described.

3l. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator provided with an annular water-seal chamber, a cover coupled to the generator and provided with an internal shell arranged within said generator to provide a condensing-surface for the circulating gas, and a carbid-pail situated Within the generator and having an internal shell which is formed with an imperforate head, combined with means for supplying water over the imperforate head of the carbid-pail shell, substantially as described.

32. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the coml bination with a generator, of a carbid vessel situated therein, a shell having a conical imperforate head and arranged within the car said carbid vessel, substantially as described.

In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generator having atrapped water-inlet pipe, a gasometer-bell, a rockingvwaterfeed device, a valve controlled by the rocking movement of the water-feed device to regulate the quantity of water delivered to said trapped pipe, and means for connecting said loatable bell with the rocking waterfeed device to control the outiow of water therefrom on the vertical travel of the bell, substantially as described.

34. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generator having a trapped water-inlet pipe, a rocking water-feed device, a controlling-valve carried by the rocking Wa-a ter-feed device and arranged to deliver water to said trapped pipe, and a floatable gas-bell operatively connected to said water-feed dei vice to rock the latter and control the outflow of water therefrom to the trapped pipe, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM M. CLINE;

Witnesses:

C. C. WOOD, BLoUcHE B. BoosiNGER'i 

